Alternative transmission modes for Trypanosoma cruzi

The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas' disease, istypically transmitted through a cycle in which vectors become infectedthrough bloodmeals on infected hosts and then infect other hosts throughdefecation at the sites of subsequent feedings. The vectors nativeto the southeastern...

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Main Author: Christopher M. Kribs-Zaleta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIMS Press 2010-05-01
Series:Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/mbe.2010.7.657
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author Christopher M. Kribs-Zaleta
author_facet Christopher M. Kribs-Zaleta
author_sort Christopher M. Kribs-Zaleta
collection DOAJ
description The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas' disease, istypically transmitted through a cycle in which vectors become infectedthrough bloodmeals on infected hosts and then infect other hosts throughdefecation at the sites of subsequent feedings. The vectors nativeto the southeastern United States, however, are inefficient at transmitting T. cruzi in this way, which suggests that alternative transmissionmodes may be responsible for maintaining the established sylvatic infectioncycle. Vertical and oral transmission of sylvatic hosts, as well asdifferential behavior of infected vectors, have been observed anecdotally.This study develops a model which accounts for these alternative modes oftransmission, and applies it to transmission between raccoons and the vector Triatoma sanguisuga. Analysis of the system of nonlinear differentialequations focuses on endemic prevalence levels and on the infection's basicreproductive number, whose form may account for how a combination oftraditionally secondary infection routes can maintain the transmission cyclewhen the usual primary route becomes ineffective.
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spelling doaj-art-e2fbddab4b4142499b565f911bd95d0a2025-01-24T02:00:43ZengAIMS PressMathematical Biosciences and Engineering1551-00182010-05-017365767310.3934/mbe.2010.7.657Alternative transmission modes for Trypanosoma cruziChristopher M. Kribs-Zaleta0Mathematics Department, University of Texas at Arlington, Box 19408, Arlington, TX 76019-0408The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas' disease, istypically transmitted through a cycle in which vectors become infectedthrough bloodmeals on infected hosts and then infect other hosts throughdefecation at the sites of subsequent feedings. The vectors nativeto the southeastern United States, however, are inefficient at transmitting T. cruzi in this way, which suggests that alternative transmissionmodes may be responsible for maintaining the established sylvatic infectioncycle. Vertical and oral transmission of sylvatic hosts, as well asdifferential behavior of infected vectors, have been observed anecdotally.This study develops a model which accounts for these alternative modes oftransmission, and applies it to transmission between raccoons and the vector Triatoma sanguisuga. Analysis of the system of nonlinear differentialequations focuses on endemic prevalence levels and on the infection's basicreproductive number, whose form may account for how a combination oftraditionally secondary infection routes can maintain the transmission cyclewhen the usual primary route becomes ineffective.https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/mbe.2010.7.657trypanosoma cruzioral infectionvector infection.chagasvertical infection
spellingShingle Christopher M. Kribs-Zaleta
Alternative transmission modes for Trypanosoma cruzi
Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering
trypanosoma cruzi
oral infection
vector infection.
chagas
vertical infection
title Alternative transmission modes for Trypanosoma cruzi
title_full Alternative transmission modes for Trypanosoma cruzi
title_fullStr Alternative transmission modes for Trypanosoma cruzi
title_full_unstemmed Alternative transmission modes for Trypanosoma cruzi
title_short Alternative transmission modes for Trypanosoma cruzi
title_sort alternative transmission modes for trypanosoma cruzi
topic trypanosoma cruzi
oral infection
vector infection.
chagas
vertical infection
url https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/mbe.2010.7.657
work_keys_str_mv AT christophermkribszaleta alternativetransmissionmodesfortrypanosomacruzi